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GB2046794A - Silver and gold/silver alloy plating bath and method - Google Patents

Silver and gold/silver alloy plating bath and method Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2046794A
GB2046794A GB8010924A GB8010924A GB2046794A GB 2046794 A GB2046794 A GB 2046794A GB 8010924 A GB8010924 A GB 8010924A GB 8010924 A GB8010924 A GB 8010924A GB 2046794 A GB2046794 A GB 2046794A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
bath
silver
aqueous bath
aqueous
potassium
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB8010924A
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Engelhard Minerals and Chemicals Corp
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Engelhard Minerals and Chemicals Corp
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Engelhard Minerals and Chemicals Corp filed Critical Engelhard Minerals and Chemicals Corp
Publication of GB2046794A publication Critical patent/GB2046794A/en
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    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25DPROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25D3/00Electroplating: Baths therefor
    • C25D3/02Electroplating: Baths therefor from solutions
    • C25D3/46Electroplating: Baths therefor from solutions of silver
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25DPROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25D3/00Electroplating: Baths therefor
    • C25D3/02Electroplating: Baths therefor from solutions
    • C25D3/56Electroplating: Baths therefor from solutions of alloys
    • C25D3/64Electroplating: Baths therefor from solutions of alloys containing more than 50% by weight of silver

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Electroplating And Plating Baths Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

Stabilization of an aqueous alkaline bath for electrode-position of silver or suitable silver alloys on a substrate, said bath essentially lacking in free cyanides and containing an imine brightening agent, said stabilization being achieved upon addition of boric acid and an ammonium or alkali metal hydroxide to effect a pH range of 8.0 to about 9.5; and the corresponding bath.

Description

SPECIFICATION Silver and gold/silver alloy plating bath and method The present invention relates to a method for improving the pH stability and brightening effect of an aqueous bath containing little or no free cyanide to be used for electrolytic deposition of silver or silver alloys; and the corresponding bath comprising an imine-type brightening agent, a soluble silver salt, 0-5% by weight of a soluble alloying metal salt, boric acid, and an ammonium or alkali metal hydroxide to adjust to a pH range of 8.0 to about 9.5.
The utilization of boric acid as a component in aqueous baths for the electrodeposition of various metals including silver and silver alloys, is generally known, Typical acid-type baths can be found, for example, in U.S. Patents 3,833,488, and 2,967,135.
The use of aqueous baths for electrodeposition which have a basic pH, that is, a pH greater than 7.0, however, are a more recent development. Attention is called, for example, to U.S.
Patent 3,864,222 which utilizes polyetheleneimines in gold and gold alloy baths to aid in maintaining the brightness of the metal deposit, and to permit extension of the pH range into the alkaline range. Unfortunately, however, the clear advantages of using imine-type brighteners in non-acid electrolytic baths, particularly in baths containing little or no free cyanide, must be presently balanced against serious attendant difficulties in controlling the pH of such baths.
Uncontrolled variations in pH often result in a dull, non-uniform electrodeposit plus rapid deterioration of the bath during use.
It is an object of the present invention to arrive at a method for minimizing pH shift during electrodeposition while still enjoying the advantages of an aqueous alkaline bath having low or no concentration of free cyanides.
It is a further object of the present invention to obtain a stable alkaline aqueous bath for electrodeposition of silver or silver alloys.
It has now been found that basic aqueous silver or silver alloy electroplating baths containing little or no free cyanide and comprising (a) a soluble silver compound; (b) 0 to about 5% by weight of a soluble salt of an alloying metal; (c) an electrical conductivity-enhancing electrolyte; and (d) an effective amount of an imine-type brightening agent can be effectively stabilized by adding thereto about .5-10% by weight of boric acid at at least one of an alkali metal hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide in an amount required to adjust the pH of the aqueous bath within the range of 8.0 to about 9.5, as desired.
For purposes of the present invention a suitable soluble silver compound for use in the bath can include almost any soluble silver compound such as, for example potassium silver cyanide, potassium silver succinimide, or a silver sulfite.
Where a silver alloy is to be electrodeposited, it is also found convenient to utilize up to 5% by weight, (inclusive of 0-5%) and preferably about .05 to about 20 grams of soluble salt of an alloying metal per liter of solution. For such purpose, the alloying metal can preferably, but not exclusively, include one or more of cobalt, nickel, copper, arsenic, indium, palladium, or other metals in addition to silver, depending upon the use intended for the resulting plated product.
Suitable electrical conductivity-enhancing electrolyte materials can be of the conventional type and include, for instance, salts of phosphoric, phosphonic, phosphenic, citric, malic, formic acids as well as optional additives, such as polyaminoacetic acids, organic phophinic acids, phosphoric acids or carboxymethylated derivatives of organic-phosphoric acids. Such electrolyte or electrolytes are conveniently present in the bath in amounts from about 20 to about 100 grams per liter of solution although not limited to such a range.
For purposes of the present invention, imine-type brightening agents are inclusive of cyclic or linear forms such as succinimide, or saccharin as well as a polyethyleneimine; an active amount for such purposes can usefully vary from about .1 %-3% by weight of solution. One or more of such agents can be utilized as desired.
The amount of boric acid for purposes of the present invention can usefully vary from about .5-10% by weight and is preferably used in the amount of about .5-5% by weight.
In addition to the above, the aqueous bath of the present invention can further contain chelating compounds such as cobalt or nickel sulfates or chelates of the base metals with nitrilotriacetic acid or ethylenediaminetetracetic acid and the like.
The pH of the bath is then adjusted within the range of 8.0 to about 9.5, as desired, and preferably to about 9.0 by the addition of an ammonium hydroxide or an alkali hydroxide such as sodium or potassium hydroxide.
Normally, electroplating by means of the present invention requires introduction of boric acid into the bath already containing the silver and/or alloying metal salts, adjustment of the pH of the bath from 8.0 to about 9.5 with an alkali metal hydroxide and the electroplating step effected onto a surface or metal substrate at a current density conveniently varying from about 1/2 to about 1 Q0 amperes per square foot at a temperature range from about 20"C to about 70"C, and preferably at about 60"C-70"C.
The aqueous baths so prepared may be used for the deposition of pure silver and/or silver alloys for jewelry and watch cases as well as for optical and industrial purposes and will provide excellent electrodeposit of a uniform deposit layer of silver and/or silver alloy by minimizing variations in bath pH during plating.
This invention will be better understood by reference to the examples which follow, although these examples are set forth merely to illustrate the practices of this invention and not intended in any way to limit the scope thereof.
EXAMPLE 1 An aqueous bath was formed which included the following: Silver as potassium silver succinimide 24 g/I Potassium citrate 50 g/l Succinimide 25 g/l The pH of this bath was then adjusted to 9.0 with potassium hydroxide and the bath was electrolyzed at 5 amperes per square foot at room temperature, using insoluble anodes. The silver was replenished during electrolysis by addition of the silver succinimide complex. The pH of this bath fell from 9.0 to 7.5 after being electrolyzed for 2 ampere hours.
EXAMPLE 2 An aqueous bath was prepared which included the following: Silver as potassium silver succinimide 24 g/l Succinimide 25 g/l Boric acid 30 g/l The pH of this bath was adjusted to 9.0 with potassium hydroxide and the bath was electrolyzed at 5 amperes per square foot at room temperature, using insoluble anodes. The silver was replenished by addition of the silver succinimide complex. The pH of this bath remained constant at 9.0 after being electrolyzed for 6 ampere hours.
EXAMPLE 3 An aqueous bath was prepared which included the following: Silver as the potassium silver cyanide 3 g/l Gold as the potassium gold cyanide 1 2.3 g/l Cobalt as the potassium cobalti cyanide 0.8 g/l Polyethyleneimine 10 mg/l Potassium citrate 30 g/l The pH of this bath was adjusted to 9.0 with potassium hydroxide and the bath was electrolyzed at 5 amperes per square foot at room temperature. The pH of the bath increased from 9.0 to 10.4 in 12 ampere minutes.
EXAMPLE 4 A bath was prepared as in Example 3 except that potassium citrate was replaced with 30 g/l of boric acid. The pH of the bath was adjusted with potassium hydroxide to a pH of 9.0. The bath was then electrolyzed at 5 amperes per square foot at room temperature. The pH of the bath remained constant at 9.0 during 360 ampere minutes.
EXAMPLE 5 A bath was prepared which included the following: Silver as potassium silver cyanide 2 g/l Gold as potassium gold cyanide 8 g/l Antimony as potassium antimony tartrate 1.5 g/l Indium as indium sulphate 3.3 g/l Nitrilo-triacetic acid 20 g/l Potassium monohydrogen phosphate 25 g/l Gluconic acid 50 mls/l The pH of this bath was adjusted with potassium hydroxide to 8.5. After electrolyzing this bath using insoluble anodes, the Ph increased from 8.5 to 10.2 in 12 ampere minutes.
EXAMPLE 6 Using the same formulation as in Example 5 with the addition of 30 g/l of boric acid neutralized with potassium hydroxide to pH 8.5, the bath was electrolyzed using insoluble anodes to deposit silver/gold alloys for 6 ampere hours with only a slight change in pH from 8.5 to 8.8.
EXAMPLE 7 A bath was prepared which included the following: Silver as potassium silver cyanide 3 g/l Gold as potassium gold cyanide 12.3 g/l Cobalt as the potassium cobalti cyanide 0.8 g/l Potassium citrate 25 g/l Polyethyleneimine 10 mg/l The pH of this bath was adjusted to 9.0 with potassium hydroxide. After 1 5 ampere minutes of plating, the pH of this bath rose from 9.0 to 10.3.
EXAMPLE 8 Using the same formulation as in Example 7 and adding 25 g/l of boric acid neutralized with potassium hydroxide to pH 9.0, the bath was electrolyzed using insoluble anodes. The pH of the bath was maintained at 9.0 after 2 ampere hours of plating.
EXAMPLE 9 A bath containing the following components was prepared: Silver as potassium silver cyanide 3 g/l Gold as potassium gold cyanide 12.3 g/l Cobalt as potassium cobalti cyanide 0.8 g/l Polyethyleneimine 10 mg/l Boric acid 30 g/l The pH was adjusted to 9.0 with potassium hydroxide and the bath was electrolyzed at 5 amperes per square foot at room temperature. There was no change in pH, after 6 ampere hours.
As will be obvious to one skilled in the art many alterations, modifications and variations can be made in the practices of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as set forth in the claims which follow.

Claims (14)

1. A stable, substantially free cyanide-free aqueous bath for electrolytic deposition of silver or a silver alloy onto a metal substrate which bath comprises (a) a soluble silver compound; (b) 0 to 5% by weight of a soluble salt of an alloying metal; (c) an electrical conductivity-enhancing electrolyte; (d) an effective amount of an imine-type brightening agent; (e) 0.5-5% by weight of boric acid; and (f) at least one member alkali metal hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide in an amount required to adjust the pH of the aqueous bath to from 8.0 to 9.5.
2. An aqueous bath as claimed in Claim 1 which contains no alloying metal salt.
3. An aqueous bath as claimed in Claim 1 which contains a soluble cobalt, nickel, copper, arsenic, inidium or palladium salt as an alloying metal salt.
4. An aqueous bath as claimed in Claim 1, in which component (b) is an alkali metal gold cyanide.
5. An aqueous bath as claimed in Claim 4 which contains from 0.05 to 20 grams per liter of potassium gold cyanide; and 0.05 to 20 grams per liter of boric acid.
6. An aqueous bath as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein said alkali metal hydroxide is potassium hydroxide.
7. An aqueous bath as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the pH is about 9.0.
8. An aqueous bath as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the silver is present as potassium silver cyanide or potassium silver succinimide.
9. An aqueous bath as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the brightening agent is a polyethyleneimine or succinimide.
10. An aqueous bath as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein said electrical conductivity enhancing electrolyte is at least one salt of phosphoric, phosphonic, phosphenic, citric, malic, or formic acid.
11. An aqueous bath as claimed in any preceding Claim which additionally contains a cobalt or nickel chealating compound.
1 2. An aqueous bath as claimed in Claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of Examples 2, 4, 6, 8 or 9.
1 3. A method for stabilizing a basic aqueous silver or silver alloy electroplating bath containing little or no free cyanide and (a) a soluble silver compound; (b) from 0 to 5% by weight of a soluble salt of an alloying metal; (c) an electrical conductivity-enhancing electrolyte; and (d) an effective amount of an imine-type brightening agent; which comprises adding thereto from 0.5-5% by weight of boric acid and at least one of an alkali metal hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide in an amount required to adjust the pH of the aqueous bath to from 8.0 to 9.5.
14. A method as claimed in Claim 1 3 wherein the electroplating bath contains a soluble cobalt, nickel, copper, arsenic, indium, or palladium salt as an alloying metal.
1 5. A method as claimed in Claim 1 3 wherein the electroplating bath contains no alloying metal salt.
1 6. A method as claimed in Claim 1 3 wherein the bath contains an alkali metal gold cyanide.
1 7. A method as claimed in Claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of Examples 2, 4, 6, 8 or 9.
GB8010924A 1979-04-04 1980-04-01 Silver and gold/silver alloy plating bath and method Withdrawn GB2046794A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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US2717779A 1979-04-04 1979-04-04

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GB2046794A true GB2046794A (en) 1980-11-19

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GB8010924A Withdrawn GB2046794A (en) 1979-04-04 1980-04-01 Silver and gold/silver alloy plating bath and method

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JP (1) JPS55134191A (en)
AR (1) AR225759A1 (en)
AU (1) AU5717880A (en)
BR (1) BR8001854A (en)
DE (1) DE3013191A1 (en)
DK (1) DK146980A (en)
FR (1) FR2453226A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2046794A (en)
IT (1) IT1127414B (en)
NL (1) NL8001999A (en)
SE (1) SE8002598L (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0239876A1 (en) * 1986-03-20 1987-10-07 DODUCO GMBH + Co Dr. Eugen DÀ¼rrwächter Bath for electroplating silver-palladium alloys
EP1024211A2 (en) * 1999-01-19 2000-08-02 Shipley Company LLC Silver alloy plating bath and a method of forming a silver alloy film by means of the same
US20130023166A1 (en) * 2011-07-20 2013-01-24 Tyco Electronics Corporation Silver plated electrical contact
EP3023520A1 (en) * 2014-11-21 2016-05-25 Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials LLC Environmentally friendly gold electroplating compositions and methods
US20230357945A1 (en) * 2020-08-19 2023-11-09 Eeja Ltd. Cyanide-based silver alloy electroplating solution

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH051393A (en) * 1990-07-19 1993-01-08 Electroplating Eng Of Japan Co Silver-copper alloy plating bath and silver-copper alloy brazing filler metal
ES2117995T3 (en) * 1994-02-05 1998-09-01 Heraeus Gmbh W C BATH FOR GALVANIC DEPOSIT OF SILVER-TIN ALLOYS.
DE4406419C1 (en) * 1994-02-28 1995-04-13 Heraeus Gmbh W C Bath for the electrodeposition of silver-gold alloys
JP4919430B2 (en) * 1999-12-02 2012-04-18 株式会社日本キャリア工業 Meat shredding equipment
CN102560571B (en) * 2012-02-22 2015-08-05 江苏大学 Non-cyanide silver coating stable electrical plating solution, preparation method and silver-plated method thereof
CN103741178B (en) * 2014-01-20 2017-06-16 厦门大学 A kind of solution and electro-plating method for the smooth fine and close Ag films of silicon face Direct Electroplating

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2410441C2 (en) * 1974-03-01 1982-11-11 Schering Ag, 1000 Berlin Und 4619 Bergkamen Cyanide-free bath and process for the electrodeposition of silver
JPS52105540A (en) * 1976-03-01 1977-09-05 Tech Inc Silver bath for lusterous plating of nonncyanide
US4088549A (en) * 1976-04-13 1978-05-09 Oxy Metal Industries Corporation Bright low karat silver gold electroplating
US4121982A (en) * 1978-02-03 1978-10-24 American Chemical & Refining Company Incorporated Gold alloy plating bath and method

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0239876A1 (en) * 1986-03-20 1987-10-07 DODUCO GMBH + Co Dr. Eugen DÀ¼rrwächter Bath for electroplating silver-palladium alloys
EP1024211A2 (en) * 1999-01-19 2000-08-02 Shipley Company LLC Silver alloy plating bath and a method of forming a silver alloy film by means of the same
EP1024211A3 (en) * 1999-01-19 2003-03-05 Shipley Company LLC Silver alloy plating bath and a method of forming a silver alloy film by means of the same
US20130023166A1 (en) * 2011-07-20 2013-01-24 Tyco Electronics Corporation Silver plated electrical contact
EP3023520A1 (en) * 2014-11-21 2016-05-25 Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials LLC Environmentally friendly gold electroplating compositions and methods
US20230357945A1 (en) * 2020-08-19 2023-11-09 Eeja Ltd. Cyanide-based silver alloy electroplating solution

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT1127414B (en) 1986-05-21
SE8002598L (en) 1980-10-05
DK146980A (en) 1980-10-05
AU5717880A (en) 1980-10-09
JPS55134191A (en) 1980-10-18
NL8001999A (en) 1980-10-07
BR8001854A (en) 1980-11-18
IT8048317A0 (en) 1980-04-02
FR2453226A1 (en) 1980-10-31
AR225759A1 (en) 1982-04-30
DE3013191A1 (en) 1980-10-23

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